Our Dairy Cow

Lucy is a 4-year old roan Durham. Durham is the older breed term for Milking Shorthorns. Durhams are one of the oldest recognized breeds in the world. The breed developed in England in the 1600's. The first Durhams were imported into the United States in 1783 and had spread west of the Mississippi by 1839.

Wm. H. Jones placed an ad in the January 4, 1860 Dallas Herald - "I have for sale seven head of thorough-bred Durham Cattle, that have been in this State since last winter, and thoroughly acclimated, and in fine condition, which will be sold at reasonable prices."

Durham's are on the American Livestock Breed Conservancy "watched breed" list. That means that "fewer than 2,500 annual North American registrations and estimated fewer than 10,000 global population. (Also included are dairy cattle breeds which show marked decline in numbers over the last 20 years.)"

Did you know cows produced 13 gallons of saliva a day? They need that much to help break down the plant fibers they eat.

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Site last updated 02/18/2005

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